Position Summary
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of lieutenants, corporals, and patrol officers in performing investigative and patrol functions during an assigned shift; and perform other duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The work in this class requires the application of independent judgment and law enforcement skill in meeting work problems, appraising effectiveness of police techniques used and interpreting departmental policies and regulations. Work is reviewed through observation, evaluation of reports submitted, and results achieved.
Job Duties
JOB DUTIES:
- Serve as Patrol Shift Commander.
- Plan and direct work.
- In collaboration with the Assistant Chief of Police, assign work schedules and approve leave requests.
- Consult and direct shift lieutenants in the assignment and supervision of corporals, patrol officers, and auxiliary officers or other volunteers on an assigned shift in the general enforcement of the law and prevention of crime, accidents, or disorder.
- Approve or deny use of vacation or other leaves of subordinate officers.
- Ensure completion and submission of shift personnel time and assignment records.
- Brief officers regarding current crimes, hazards, or situations requiring attention.
- Teach employees police work and related law enforcement tactics, strategies, and procedures.
- Inform and advise employees of legal changes.
- Review custodial arrests of violators who are to be incarcerated.
- Review reports of employees for accuracy and completeness.
- Supervise initial distribution of departmental records.
- Publish daily shift reports highlighting arrests, crime activity, and necessary follow-up.
- Photocopy incident and accident reports for the news media complying with confidentiality, investigative, and guarded information guidelines.
- Set goals and objectives for lieutenants, corporals, and patrol officers.
- Counsel and advise on goals.
- Evaluate performance.
- Recommend awards and commendations.
- Recommend training, instruction, or other needs for improvement.
- Hear and adjust grievances of employees, when it cannot be adjusted by a shift lieutenant, or refer it to higher authority with recommendation.
- Report on complaints against officers or suspected incidents of neglect of duty, disobedience, misconduct, or failure to properly perform duties.
- Initiate discipline, including suspension from duty.
- Coordinate with commanders on other shifts and with the CID and COP commanders to deal most effectively with current police problems and cases.
- Provide supervision to CID and COP personnel when no supervisor is present for duty.
- In collaboration with other captains, review and make recommendations of candidates for promotion.
- Consult with superior officers on effectiveness of policies and procedures and recommend changes.
- Assist in the analysis of beat organization and design.
- Participate in budget preparation and goal development and objectives.
- Monitor fleet of vehicles and equipment available on patrol.
- Advise the Staff Services Commander of vehicle and equipment deficiencies, problems, and needs.
- Communicate with law enforcement and human service agencies to address community needs.
- Request assistance from other agencies and determine response to those requesting assistance under mutual aid agreements or exigent circumstances.
- Respond to inquiries from the media and prepare public release statements.
- Because of the potential for reassignment or emergency operations, must be able to perform all examples of work for Patrol Officer.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Law and Government – Knowledge of criminal law and violation prosecution, legal codes, court procedures, police science precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Public Safety and Security – Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, and national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Police Administration and Management – Knowledge of police administration, business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Psychology – Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards of service, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Personnel and Human Resources – Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Education and Training – Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Technology – Knowledge of electronic hardware and software used for police communications, the National Incident Command system, as well as personal computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, and internet browsers.
Active Listening – Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Management of Personnel Resources – Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Coordination – Changing what is done based on other people’s actions.
Instructing – Teaching subordinates about law enforcement and police procedure.
Time Management – Managing your time and the time of other people.
Learning Strategies – Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Complex Problem Solving – Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Judgement and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Service Orientation – Looking for ways to help people.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- At least eight years of experience with the department.
- Successful completion of the Civil Service process as established by the Civil Service Commission.
- Graduation with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, leadership, criminal justice, police science, criminology, or related fields.
- Lieutenant standing of a year or more.
- Experience in two or more police specialty focus areas to include: Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Community Policing, Emergency Operations and Administration.
- Supervisor experience in multiple police specialty focus areas.
- Successful completion of ICS/NIMS Training.
- Certification as a Peace Officer in Iowa.
Supplemental Information
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Employee shall establish their principal place of residence within fifty (50) miles of their place of employment as soon as practicable after appointment, but within two years of appointment.
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Our Commitment to You
The City of Dubuque is committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. Our organization provides equal opportunities for all individuals, fostering a workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our growing community. In accordance with legal obligations our policies and practices are designed to ensure fair treatment and foster a respectful workplace where all are encouraged to apply.